Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have arrested five people in connection with an ongoing investigation that focused on illegal drug distribution within Waterloo Region.

As part of a lengthy investigation, dubbed Project Variance, search warrants were executed at three residences on Cedar Street South in Kitchener, Victoria Street South in Kitchener and Nickolas Crescent in Cambridge. Two additional warrants were executed at trailers on Puddicombe Road in New Hamburg and Prouse Road in Ingersoll. A sixth search warrant was executed at an industrial unit on West Avenue in Kitchener.

“This is a significant seizure by our officers that will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on our community,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Police. “By focusing on the illegal drug distributors, we are able to disrupt the flow of these deadly drugs before they get into the hands of our children, our friends, our family members and our neighbours. We are facing a serious opioid crisis in our community and to change this we need to go straight to the top, to the people who are making, distributing and profiting from this illegal activity.”

Five people have been arrested:

Mark LUCAS, 31, of Kitchener

Charges:

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Conspiracy to Traffic in a Schedule I Substance

Trevor IMESON, 43, of Kitchener

Charges:

Ten counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance

Conspiracy to Traffic in a Schedule I Substance

Kimberly MURPHY, 36, of Kitchener

Charges:

Ten counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance

Conspiracy to Traffic in a Schedule I Substance

Patrick LANE, 33, of Cambridge

Charges:

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Conspiracy to Traffic in a Schedule I Substance

Michael TUGHAN, 30, of Kitchener

Charges:

Three counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Conspiracy to Traffic in a Schedule I Substance

WRPS Weighs The Evidence

Some of the CASH...

Just Some Of The Drug Seizure...

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.